While doing so, he told her it wasn’t good to leave the house empty for too long, that the household discipline would crumble without a master, and that he would call her back soon, so she should wait quietly.
‘It’s like dealing with a nuisance.’
As he sipped the flower tea in one gulp, the stuffiness in his mouth seemed to ease slightly.
With a refreshed expression, the Duke spoke to his nephew.
“As Your Majesty knows, Claire and I were quite friendly when we were young. I thought I could lend her my space for a while to help an old friend who has lost all her children. Besides…”
“…”
“She might spread unfavorable rumors about Empress Dowager everywhere in the social circle. I was worried that loneliness might lead to accumulating dissatisfaction with someone close. You know how it goes when loneliness grows; it tends to accumulate dissatisfaction with someone close.”
“I see. I didn’t know there was such a deep meaning.”
Hershis nodded, adding, “I thought my uncle considered her as a potential remarriage partner.”
“A remarriage partner? That’s absurd, Your Majesty.”
The Duke burst into laughter.
Claire Berium was not someone who had caught his favor even when she was dazzling in her youth. His favor for her had increased recently, despite her beauty diminishing compared to those days. However, her utility had grown, making her as valuable as a speck of dust in his hands. To avoid indulging in unrealistic dreams, he needed to find ways to use her while keeping her under control.
“I heard that you lost your memory temporarily after falling.”
Wanting to avoid talking about that woman, the Duke changed the subject.
“Ah… about that.”
Hershis lowered the teacup he was holding, making a clinking sound.
“I lied.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Duke gently raised the momentarily stiff corners of his mouth.
“As expected.”
“You don’t seem very surprised.”
“I thought it might be the case.”
The Duke never fully believed in everything. Especially when it came to Hershis, he had a habit of being suspicious.
‘Well, I could have been better prepared.’
Smiling, the Duke was conscious of his guards attached to both walls.
“Indeed, my uncle knows me too well.”
“As I was raised and educated by Your Majesty.”
“…”
“Anyway, it’s a relief. There’s nothing wrong with Your Majesty’s head now. I can finally get a good night’s sleep as well.”
The Duke held the refilled teacup with one hand, sipping the tea, while the other subtly slid under the table, spreading out four fingers.
‘Move together.’
It was an order to his guards.
Then, holding the teacup with both hands again, the Duke spoke with a shameless expression.
“Why did you tell such a lie? Is someone involved in Your Majesty’s fall? Is that why you did it, to see if someone suspicious would show up?”
“Uncle, really.”
Hershis spoke in a slightly teasing tone, narrowing one eye.
“If you suspect someone, catch them and interrogate them. Why bother with such a tiring play?”
“Then why…?”
“It’s because of the Empress.”
“…”
“I didn’t want Your Majesty to know the messy details of the incidents that happened since the early days of the Empress’s reign. Wouldn’t it be better if I pretended not to know the whole story?”
Ishar, who didn’t want the turmoil to reach the palace, would likely try to resolve the matter amicably, so as long as Hershis kept quiet, Liz would never know that she was in danger.
Hershis didn’t want Liz to be anxious.
“I see.”
The Duke’s smiling mouth subtly twisted.
‘Just for one concubine. If I knew it would be like this, I would have killed that woman instead of her unborn child.’
“The Empress must be pleased. Your Majesty cares so much for her.”
“I plan to care even more in the future.”
“But don’t confine her too much.”
After taking another sip of tea, the Duke spoke.
“As I felt during the court speech that day, the Empress is much stronger and more assertive than I’ve known. Women like her, if you confine them, will only think about escaping. Please set her free. It’s a suggestion for Your Majesty’s sake.”
“I was thinking of doing that anyway.”
Hershis spoke in a calm voice.
“And I plan to gradually empower the Empress as well. Although much has changed now, a few hundred years ago, Empresses had rights equivalent to Emperors, didn’t they? I also intend to do that now.”
Hershis was satisfied with her decision.
But the Duke was not pleased.
‘Giving power to someone like that.’
He should just make her obedient and let her show off her pretty face at parties, boosting her husband’s reputation.
The Duke sighed internally, downing a cup of tea in one go. Whether it was because he heard unpleasant words or not, the feeling of bitterness continued to rise. He refilled his cup, followed the pace of his companion, and got to the main point.
“So, what is the purpose of secretly coming to find me? We haven’t discussed that matter yet.”
After a long game of tug-of-war, the Duke was the first to ask. He wanted to know quickly so that he could unleash the hounds as soon as possible.
Hershis spoke with a cool, sinking voice.
“Why did you do that?”
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
